Garden Project

Pervious Paving Materials

An ongoing water shortage has changed the way we landscape in California. There are a number of ways to address the drought and still have a gorgeous garden. We’d like to share what we’ve learned, whether it’s adopting the technology of pervious pavers, selecting drought tolerant plants, or even applying innovative landscaping methods.

Here are a few ways to make sure your garden helps the rain percolate into the groundwater.

1) Pervious Pavers. These pavers have a unique texture that allows water to seep through instead of running off. With the same modular form as standard pavers, you’ll still be able to enjoy the flexibility and strength of their design. Other pervious paving material include pebbles, gravel or other natural stones.

2) Consider leaving ground open. Finding a way to include open land in the landscaping means more water in the water table. This can be done by cultivating a living soil system, or simply using mulch to construct walkways.

3) Construct a swale. This is initially pretty labor intensive, but it allows active gardeners a way to irrigate even in the midst of a drought. Basically, you did a trench and backfill it with any carbon based mulch. Rain water is directed much deeper in the ground, benefiting any plants or trees on the other side of the swale.